Everything You Need to Know About the US Green Card

In this article, am going to be given you full information about the US Green Card. Green card is an essential step toward becoming a U.S. Citizen.

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Here is everything you need to know about forms, supporting documents, the green card timeline and how the process works. Let’s see the meaning of US Green Card.

Table of Contents

What is a Green Card?

A Green card is known officially as a permanent resident card. It is an identity document which show s that a person has permanent residency in the United States.

Green card holders are formally known as lawful permanent residents. This card also permits a non-U.S. citizen to gain permanent residence in the United States.

A green card is issued for 10 years, but it can be renewed by submitting a green card renewal application.

What are the benefits of being a Green Card holder?

There are benefit you enjoy when a green card gives you permanent US resident status, they include:

You can now buy your own house or property in the United States.
Reside in the United States
You can start traveling between the United State and your country or origin without a visitor/business visa.
You can register your own company and run your own business in the US
You can start to sponsor your own company and run your own business in the US
Have access to apply for US citizenship after 5 years of residing in the US.
You can stay in the US and many more.

The United States green card also offers you the same right as an American citizen, including all protection from the US federal, State, and Local Laws on par with any US citizen.

Who Is Eligible for A Green Card?

The green card is not available for everyone, in order to be qualified you must meet certain requirements. The requirements are based on the immigrant category you are applying under. Those categories are:

Work
Refuse or asylee status
Human trafficking and crime victim programs
Family
Abuse victim programs
Register and other categories

Here is a closer look at each green card category.

Green Card Costs

There are different types of green cards. The government filling fee for a family-based green card is $1,760 for those applicants who live in the United States or $1,200 for an applicant living outside the United States.

Note this does not include the cost of the medical exam, which varies by provider. For other green card categories, you can check the USCIS website for the cost of your particular form.

Types of Greens Cards

There are different categories of green cards, the most common types of green cards are as follow:

Family Based Green Card

This Green card is for close relatives of US citizens. Current green card holders may apply for family-based green cards of their own. Eligible family members include children, parents, spouses, and siblings.

Employment based Green card

This green card is within the employment bases. Multiple workers can apply for permanent residence.

Humanitarian Green Cards

This green card is for refugees and asylees. Those people who afraid because of their race, religious, nationality can seek protection in the United States by applying for a visa from abroad.

Diversity Lottery Green Card

The Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery, is a United States government lottery program for receiving a United States Permanent Resident Card.

What are the different ways to get a green card?

There are five ways an individual can obtain permanent residency. They include:

Green card through employer
Investment based green card
Family based green card
Green card lottery
Green card through Asylum and Refugee status

However, most employment based green card categories require an employment offer and a petitioning employer, while others allow you to self-petition (file your own green card application).

Green Card Facts

It is for specific period, which is normally for 10n years.
You need the card for revalidate after that limit.
In order to maintain card status, you must meet certain conditions.
if you stay outside the US for more than one continuous year, you can mechanically lose your card status.
You are required to file US Federal tax returns along with any request state or local tax return
As per immigration laws, permanent residents who fail to submit tax returns may have their permanent resident status revoked.

The Green Card Application Process

What is the application process about the green card? There are varies application for the green card based on a person’s situation. However, though these are steps:

You will need to attend an immigration interview
You will need a form with USCIS to petition the government for lawful permanent resident status.
USCIS makes a choice on your request
You attend a biometrics appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken
You will need to provide USCIS with your digital signature.

How Long does it take to get a decision from USCIS?

It can take a significant amount of time for USCIS to proceed your green card request and bring you with a decision.

Some people receive results in as little as 7 months, while others wait nearly 3 years to get an answer. In some cases, such as family preference green cards, processing can take up to 10 years.

What happen if your Green Card Application is Denied?

When your green card application is denied by the US government, you are subject to removal proceedings. And if this happen to you, quickly contact an attorney as soon as you can to help you out.

However, once your application is approved, you will receive a welcome notice in the mail. Shortly after that, you will receive your green card in the mail.